2 Dec 2013

Non-residential building consents climb

6:52 am on 2 December 2013

The value of consents for non-residential building in October hit its highest level since May 2009.

The Government Statistician says non-residential consents were worth $443 million in October, up from $342 million in September and from $392 million in October last year.

Statistics New Zealand says the largest contributors were $86 million for offices and administration buildings, $84 million for social, cultural and religious buildings, $64 million for factories and $60 million for shops, restaurants and taverns.

Infometrics managing director Gareth Kiernan says non-residential consents are likely to be even stronger in coming months.

He says there is a good underlying base of activity, with only one large consent over $25 million.

Mr Kiernan says there has been good growth across the regions, not just in Christchurch.

He says activity in Christchurch has been down about 18% from where it was this time last year, but there are a lot of major Government-backed projects coming through to tender in the coming year.